Huperzine for Cognitive and Functional Impairment in Schizophrenia

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Huperzine is a natural plant product with procognitive properties in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive difficulties hamper functioning in schizophrenia as well. The present study will investigate whether huperzine improves cognition and functioning in patients with schizophrenia.

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 55 Years (Adult)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia according to SCID-IV.

Currently treated with an antipsychotic medication.

Has tolerated current antipsychotic treatment adequately.

Has received an adequate trial of antipsychotic (a least 3 months of at least 300 mg/d CPZ equivalent).

Has been receiving current psychotropic medication (s) for at least 8 weeks.

Has been receiving current doses of psychotropic medication (s) for at least 4 weeks.

Has been clinically stable for at least 12 weeks.

No more than moderate severity (4 on the 1-7 scale) on any PANSS positive item.

No more than 15 on the total of PANSS negative symptom items.

Simpson-Angus Scale total score <7.

Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia total score <11.

Submaximal performance on at least one of the following MATRICS components (letter-number span <20 OR HVLT total <31 OR CPT d-prime < 3.47).

Any significant neurologic disease including Alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, stroke, huntington's disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, brain tumor, progressive supranuclear palsy, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, history of head injury with loss of consciousness for greater than one day within the past 5 years, or with residual deficits.

Use of antihypertensive agents with frequent CNS side effects (e.g. clonidine, propranolol) within 4 weeks prior to the screening visit.

Use of medications known to alter drug absorption or metabolism (e.g. probenecid, cimetidine, anti-fungal agents, erythromycin, rifampin, and anticonvulsants) within 4 weeks prior to the screening visit.

History of peptic ulcer disease within 2 years.

History of myocardial infarction, significant cardiovascular disease, or congestive heart failure within 6 months, history of hepatic or renal insufficiency, insulin-requiring diabetes or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.